Lesson on film conventions such as shots, angles and editing
Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to teach students how to identify film conventions and explain what the use of those conventions may mean.
Objectives:
Identify the following conventions of film: shot, angle, edit
Determine elements of those film conventions
Understand why a director may choose to use a particular shot, angle or cut.
Lesson Plan Procedure
The teacher will show the included PowerPoint presentation on the Grammar of Film. As each term is revealed students will be asked to take notes on their vocabulary sheets and think of reasons that a director may choose to use a particular convention. They will also be asked to think of other examples in which that convention is used. Students will report their findings as part of a class discussion. The conventions covered in the PowerPoint are:
Shot
Extreme Long Shot
Long Shot
Medium Shot
Close Up
Extreme Close Up
Angle
Bird's Eye View
High Angle
Low Angle
Eye Level
Oblique Angle
Editing
Continuity Editing
Eyeline Matching
Cut
Matched Cut
Jump Cut
Shot Reverse Shot
Cross Cut
Students will then break off into six groups. Two groups will focus on shots, two will focus on angles and two will focus on editing. The class will watch a short film or clip of the teacher's choosing and then discuss their group's assigned element in the context of that clip. As the students work the teacher will go around and observe each group, checking for understanding of each film element, participation and completion of the vocabulary worksheet. Once the groups have finished the teacher will have a representative from each group share what they found with the class. Students will then be instructed to hang on to their vocabulary worksheets and notes as we will refer to these terms again and again as we move through the unit.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.910.6.4.1: The student will use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g., video, digital technology)
LA.910.2.2.4: The student will identify and analyze the characteristics of a variety of types of text (e.g., references, reports, technical manuals, articles, editorials, primary source historical documents, periodicals, job-related materials, practical/functional text)
LA.910.5.2.1: The student will select and use appropriate listening strategies according to the intended purpose (e.g., solving problems, interpreting and evaluating the techniques and intent of a presentation);
LA.910.6.4.1: The student will use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g., video, digital technology)
Metalanguage: The Grammar of Film
Lesson on film conventions such as shots, angles and editing
Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to teach students how to identify film conventions and explain what the use of those conventions may mean.
Objectives:
Lesson Plan Procedure
The teacher will show the included PowerPoint presentation on the Grammar of Film. As each term is revealed students will be asked to take notes on their vocabulary sheets and think of reasons that a director may choose to use a particular convention. They will also be asked to think of other examples in which that convention is used. Students will report their findings as part of a class discussion. The conventions covered in the PowerPoint are:
Students will then break off into six groups. Two groups will focus on shots, two will focus on angles and two will focus on editing. The class will watch a short film or clip of the teacher's choosing and then discuss their group's assigned element in the context of that clip. As the students work the teacher will go around and observe each group, checking for understanding of each film element, participation and completion of the vocabulary worksheet. Once the groups have finished the teacher will have a representative from each group share what they found with the class. Students will then be instructed to hang on to their vocabulary worksheets and notes as we will refer to these terms again and again as we move through the unit.
Sunshine State Standards:
LA.910.6.4.1: The student will use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g., video, digital technology)
LA.910.2.2.4: The student will identify and analyze the characteristics of a variety of types of text (e.g., references, reports, technical manuals, articles, editorials, primary source historical documents, periodicals, job-related materials, practical/functional text)
LA.910.5.2.1: The student will select and use appropriate listening strategies according to the intended purpose (e.g., solving problems, interpreting and evaluating the techniques and intent of a presentation);
LA.910.6.4.1: The student will use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g., video, digital technology)
Resources: